Elements of acid-base balance in the European bison, Bison bonasus (L.) in the winter period.

1. In the blood of 65 European bison divided into four groups (Group 1, 0-3-year-old males; Group 2, 0-3-year-old females; Group 3, mature bulls, over 3 years old; Group 4, mature cows, over 3 years old) the values of pH, pCO2, pO2, base excess and bicarbonate level were studied. 2. The studies were carried out in winter months, from mid-December to mid-April. 3. No significant differences in parameters studied were found between young males and females. 4. All indices found in mature bulls and cows showed significant differences between all other groups. 5. Most of parameters examined here in European bison are comparable with those found in other big ruminants.